Gaming Laptops

Buying a gaming laptop

When shopping for a gaming laptop your primary consideration should be the laptop's graphics card (also known as GPU). Most games rely on the GPU and since you can't upgrade this component in a laptop it's wise to invest in a good spec GPU to give you a good few years of decent gaming performance. Avoid laptops with graphics cards built into the processor - these are not powerful enough for gaming use. Most current gaming laptops feature Nvidia GeForce GTX or RTX GPUs. There's a wide variety of models with different price points and capabilities. The type of GPU you need will depend on the type of games you want to play. GPUs can broadly be grouped into three categories; entry level, mid-range and high end. The more powerful the GPU the more demanding games the laptop will support with smooth frame rates and high quality settings.

Processing power

Also important is the laptop's processor. High performance processors such as Intel Core i7 or i9 or AMD Ryzen 5, 7 or 9 are more than capable and should also provide some longevity for the next generation of games. A high end processor will be essential if you plan to use the laptop for other demanding applications such as video or high end graphics work.

Screen resolution

Pay attention to the screen as well. Any screen with less than full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) will appear blocky and pixelated. Make sure the laptop's graphics card has enough power to run games smoothly at the screen's native resolution. Only opt for a 4K laptop it comes with a high end GPU installed. You'll also want a screen with a minimum refresh rate of 60Hz but the higher the better, particularly for games with fast moving graphics such as counterstrike or Fortnite.

RAM & storage

Other considerations include the RAM (memory) installed and the type and amount of storage available. Whilst both these components can usually be upgraded in future, we recommend a minimum of 8Gb of RAM for stutter free performance on entry level games. 16Gb is recommended for mid range gaming and if you intend to play high end titles and plan on streaming during games, invest in 32Gb of RAM. For storage, we recommend an SSD drive rather than a conventional hard drive as these load faster and use less power to help preserve battery life. games can occupy a lot of disk space so look for the largest capacity SSD you can afford or a laptop with a spare slot so you can install a second SSD in the future.

Build quality

The laptop's size and weight will be a factor if you need to lug it around frequently. Laptops with bigger screens provide more immersive gaming experiences but are often thicker and heavier. Generally speaking, higher end laptops are built using premium, lightweight materials whereas cheaper models typically use thicker, cheaper plastics.

Keyboard, mouse & speakers

Gaming laptops feature compact keyboards that are usually backlit via LED lighting. More expensive models may incorporate superior mechanical keyboards for a more tactile experience. if you don't like the feel of the laptop's built in keyboard, you can always invest in an external gaming keyboard instead. The same goes for the mouse and speakers. Built in mice/touchpads and speakers are not designed for gaming use and typically offer a poor performance. It makes sense to invest in an external gaming mouse and a decent set of speakers for rich sound or a headset with a built in microphone so you can chat with friends while gaming.